Today, I’ll be breaking down the NFC North in my series of finding a sleeper for every NFL team, one division at a time. If you missed the first part of this series, make sure to check out my breakdown of sleepers in the AFC North here!
The NFC North is known for its stiff competition and icy rivalries, with some of the most loyal fans in the NFL. However, what most people forget is that this division is a goldmine of undervalued fantasy talent, and consistently produces players that sneak into your fantasy lineup and produce every week.
With this article, I’ll be finding those players that are commonly overlooked and have the potential not just to win you your week, but even can help you win a championship in 2025.
Jayden Reed
Green Bay Packers - WR
Jayden Reed has had a very rocky start to his NFL career, with inconsistency holding him back from becoming a top-tier receiver in Green Bay.
Reed is coming off a solid year, finishing as the WR21, but struggled immensely with producing consistent points for fantasy owners last season, having more finishes under five points (3) than he did as a top-12 receiver (2).
However, starting quarterback Jordan Love struggled through injury last season, hurting the potential points that Reed could've gained throughout the season.
With the addition of Matthew Golden in the first round of this year's draft, many are concerned that Reed will see less playing time; however, Golden poses a larger threat to fellow teammates Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, due to his usage as an outside receiver.
Reed will also benefit from a secure slot role in the Green Bay offense, as he scored 75% of his points from the slot last season and looks to have the role locked up for the upcoming season as well.
With Love hopefully commanding the offense for the entirety of the 2025 season, Reed is looking like a steal at his current ADP of 98 and should be a must-grab in all of your 2025 fantasy leagues.
David Montgomery
Detroit Lions - RB
With the Lions, it’s hard to choose a sleeper since their offense is such a lethal unit that has shown it can support all of their starters, but David Montgomery is as close to a sleeper as you can get.
In 2024, Montgomery finished as the RB18 overall while still missing three games to end his season.
Detroit has been notorious for its split backfield over the last two years, with both Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery getting meaningful minutes and being viable fantasy assets.
Many are worried that this split backfield will fall apart in 2025 with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson leaving, but the new offensive coordinator, John Morton, seems to think similarly from this post on X from @the_det_times.
With the concern of the backfield getting broken up washed away, Montgomery should continue to see an elite level of usage in the red zone, replicating last season where he was the RB6 in total points scored in the red zone.
The Lions are still clearly a two-running-back system, and Montgomery should not be faded due to Gibbs still being present, as Montgomery is an extremely efficient red-zone player and is primed for yet another top-20 finish in 2025.
Colston Loveland
Chicago Bears - TE
The Chicago Bears shocked everyone on draft night this year, drafting Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick.
This pick was extremely unexpected as the Bears had Cole Kmet, who was recognized as a starting-caliber tight end throughout the league, and because the Bears had other needs they needed to address.
Fantasy owners aren't upset with the pick, as Loveland was known for his receiving ability in college, leading Michigan in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns in 2024.
The biggest concern for Loveland is the competition for targets in the crowded Bears receiving room with D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, and fellow tight end Cole Kmet all vying for targets and lessening the impact that Loveland could bring to a fantasy team.
However, at Loveland’s current 107 ADP on Sleeper, the potential that he runs away with the starting role in Chicago and becomes one of Caleb Williams' most reliable targets is worth the ninth-round pick you have to use on him.
With Ben Johnson leading the Bears this season, expect to see Loveland heavily involved in the offense and explode past his current ADP, making him a major steal for 2025.
J.J. McCarthy
Minnesota Vikings - QB
J.J. McCarthy was selected 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings, but unfortunately suffered a torn meniscus in preseason games, sidelining him for the entirety of the 2024 season.
McCarthy looks to be locked into the starting role in Minnesota, with standout quarterback Sam Darnold leaving for the Seattle Seahawks in free agency.
McCarthy is in one of the best situations for a first-year quarterback, with plenty of talent surrounding him, including Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison (even though he’s suspended for the first three games), and T.J. Hockenson leading that offense.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell has had elite levels of success with quarterbacks in the past as well, supporting Kirk Cousins to three QB1 seasons and Joshua Dobbs to a QB8 finish as the Vikings starter.
With O’Connell’s record with quarterbacks, expect to see McCarthy impress as a starter in Minnesota, with a pass-heavy offense and a loaded receiving room catering to McCarthy’s play style.
With McCarthy’s ADP at 145, he is an extremely high upside pick in the 12th round, which offers league-winning upside for 2025.
Final Thoughts
All of these NFC North sleeper picks offer ridiculous upside for your fantasy teams in 2025, and they should all be targets as you head into your drafts.
If you missed the first article on the AFC North, make sure to check it out, and look out for more throughout the upcoming weeks, as I will be breaking down every division and a sleeper for every team within them.
Next up is the AFC South, so make sure to come back to see what sleepers can help win your league in 2025!